Undid 2 revisions from 1358337343 until 1358337392 ← Previous revision Revision as of 02:35, 8 June 2026 Line 25: Line 25: To commemorate the [[United States Semiquincentennial|250th anniversary of the United States]], the UFC plans to hold a historic mixed martial arts event on the South Lawn of the White House in June 2026.<ref name="intro"/> While initial reports suggested a July 4th date, the event was later rescheduled for June due to logistical reasons.<ref name="Junedate">{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/sports/ufc-white-house-plans-revealed-including-weigh-ins-lincoln-memorial-report|title=UFC White House plans revealed, including weigh-ins at Lincoln Memorial: report|publisher=foxnews.com|author=Ryan Morik|date=2025-09-05|access-date=2025-09-05}}</ref> The weigh-ins are expected to take place at the [[Lincoln Memorial]].<ref name="anotherjune"/> To commemorate the [[United States Semiquincentennial|250th anniversary of the United States]], the UFC plans to hold a historic mixed martial arts event on the South Lawn of the White House in June 2026.<ref name="intro"/> While initial reports suggested a July 4th date, the event was later rescheduled for June due to logistical reasons.<ref name="Junedate">{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/sports/ufc-white-house-plans-revealed-including-weigh-ins-lincoln-memorial-report|title=UFC White House plans revealed, including weigh-ins at Lincoln Memorial: report|publisher=foxnews.com|author=Ryan Morik|date=2025-09-05|access-date=2025-09-05}}</ref> The weigh-ins are expected to take place at the [[Lincoln Memorial]].<ref name="anotherjune"/> The event will represent the promotion's third visit to Washington, D.C., and first since [[UFC on ESPN: Overeem vs. Rozenstruik]] in December 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25227329-dana-white-says-badass-ufc-white-house-event-will-be-1-1-experience-video|title=Dana White Says 'Badass' UFC White House Event Will be 'a 1-of-1 Experience' in Video|publisher=bleacherreport.com|author=Adam Wells|date=2025-07-18|access-date=2025-09-05}}</ref> During a speech at [[Naval Station Norfolk]] on October 6, 2025, President Trump announced that the event would take place on June 14, 2026, coinciding with his 80th birthday, as well as the [[Flag Day (United States)|Flag Day]] holiday.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/ufc/2025/10/06/donald-trump-ufc-white-house-event-date-birthday/86548457007/|title=President Trump reveals UFC White House event will happen on his 80th birthday|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Staff|date=2025-10-06|access-date=2025-10-06}}</ref> The card will air on [[Paramount+]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/ufc/461166/dana-white-reveals-broadcast-plans-for-ufc-white-house-card|title=Dana White reveals broadcast plans for UFC White House card|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Alexander K. Lee|date=2025-12-12|access-date=2025-12-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Rejent |first1=Joseph |title=When is UFC Freedom 250? |url=https://www.nj.com/tv/2026/06/when-is-ufc-freedom-250.html |access-date=8 June 2026 |date=7 June 2026}}</ref> The event will represent the promotion's third visit to Washington, D.C., and first since [[UFC on ESPN: Overeem vs. Rozenstruik]] in December 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25227329-dana-white-says-badass-ufc-white-house-event-will-be-1-1-experience-video|title=Dana White Says 'Badass' UFC White House Event Will be 'a 1-of-1 Experience' in Video|publisher=bleacherreport.com|author=Adam Wells|date=2025-07-18|access-date=2025-09-05}}</ref> During a speech at [[Naval Station Norfolk]] on October 6, 2025, President Trump announced that the event would take place on June 14, 2026, coinciding with his 80th birthday, as well as the [[Flag Day (United States)|Flag Day]] holiday.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/ufc/2025/10/06/donald-trump-ufc-white-house-event-date-birthday/86548457007/|title=President Trump reveals UFC White House event will happen on his 80th birthday|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Staff|date=2025-10-06|access-date=2025-10-06}}</ref> The card will air on [[Paramount+]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/ufc/461166/dana-white-reveals-broadcast-plans-for-ufc-white-house-card|title=Dana White reveals broadcast plans for UFC White House card|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Alexander K. Lee|date=2025-12-12|access-date=2025-12-12}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/ufc/2026/06/07/ufc-freedom-250-commentary-team-joe-rogan-white-house-broadcast/90441030007/|title=UFC Freedom 250 commentary team: Joe Rogan on call at the White House|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Mike Bohn|date=2026-06-07|access-date=2026-06-07}}</ref> The event was first announced by President [[Donald Trump]] on July 3, 2025, during a rally at the [[Iowa State Fairgrounds]]:<ref name="trumpiowa">{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2025/7/3/24461432/president-trump-reveals-plans-to-hold-a-ufc-event-at-the-white-house-in-2026|title=President Trump reveals plans to hold a UFC event at the White House in 2026|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Damon Martin|date=2025-07-04|access-date=2025-08-31}}</ref> The event was first announced by President [[Donald Trump]] on July 3, 2025, during a rally at the [[Iowa State Fairgrounds]]:<ref name="trumpiowa">{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2025/7/3/24461432/president-trump-reveals-plans-to-hold-a-ufc-event-at-the-white-house-in-2026|title=President Trump reveals plans to hold a UFC event at the White House in 2026|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Damon Martin|date=2025-07-04|access-date=2025-08-31}}</ref> Line 60: Line 60: On March 16, the District of Columbia Combat Sports Commission announced that outcomes of the fights in this event could not be recognized on the athletes’ official records as the promotion was not going to pay a $100 permit to hold the event.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/DC-Commission-UFC-White-House-card-requires-permit-to-be-sanctioned-200477|title=D.C. Commission: UFC White House card requires permit to be sanctioned|publisher=sherdog.com|author=Sayan Nag|date=2026-03-16|access-date=2026-03-19}}</ref> In turn, the UFC announced that the [[Association of Boxing Commissions]] (ABC), which oversees boxing and MMA in the U.S., will be on hand to "serve as an independent third party to advise on the regulatory operations" of the event. "As the event is being held on federal property, there is no requirement for the UFC to select a state athletic commission to oversee the event," ABC president Timothy Shipman said in a release. "The UFC expresses its commitment to ensuring that this event is among the most thoroughly regulated in the history of the sport and has requested that the ABC serve as an independent third party to assist in assembling the most qualified group of judges, referees and inspectors in the world.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/ufc/2026/03/19/ufc-white-house-fights-will-be-sanctioned-regulated-by-association-boxing-comissions-abc-mma/89224465007/|title=UFC White House fights will be sanctioned, regulated by ABC|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Staff|date=2026-03-19|access-date=2026-03-19}}</ref> On March 16, the District of Columbia Combat Sports Commission announced that outcomes of the fights in this event could not be recognized on the athletes’ official records as the promotion was not going to pay a $100 permit to hold the event.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/DC-Commission-UFC-White-House-card-requires-permit-to-be-sanctioned-200477|title=D.C. Commission: UFC White House card requires permit to be sanctioned|publisher=sherdog.com|author=Sayan Nag|date=2026-03-16|access-date=2026-03-19}}</ref> In turn, the UFC announced that the [[Association of Boxing Commissions]] (ABC), which oversees boxing and MMA in the U.S., will be on hand to "serve as an independent third party to advise on the regulatory operations" of the event. "As the event is being held on federal property, there is no requirement for the UFC to select a state athletic commission to oversee the event," ABC president Timothy Shipman said in a release. "The UFC expresses its commitment to ensuring that this event is among the most thoroughly regulated in the history of the sport and has requested that the ABC serve as an independent third party to assist in assembling the most qualified group of judges, referees and inspectors in the world.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/ufc/2026/03/19/ufc-white-house-fights-will-be-sanctioned-regulated-by-association-boxing-comissions-abc-mma/89224465007/|title=UFC White House fights will be sanctioned, regulated by ABC|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Staff|date=2026-03-19|access-date=2026-03-19}}</ref> ⚫ [[File:Alex Pereira UFC 300.png|200px|thumb|right|If victorious, [[Alex Pereira]] will be the first fighter to win a UFC title in three different divisions.]] ⚫ [[File:P20260506MR-1514 President Donald J. Trump speaks with members of the media alongside UFC fighters in the Oval Office.jpg|375px|thumb|right|President [[Donald Trump]] (center) with the four fighters involved in the headliners; from left to right: [[Alex Pereira]], [[Ilia Topuria]], [[Justin Gaethje]] and [[Ciryl Gane]].]] ===Fight card planning=== ===Fight card planning=== Line 76: Line 76: *A featherweight bout between former featherweight title challenger [[Diego Lopes (fighter)|Diego Lopes]] and [[Steve Garcia]], who has won his past seven UFC fights.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/ufc/2026/03/11/ufc-freedom-250-steve-garcia-found-out-announcement/89083974007/|title=Steve Garcia found out about UFC Freedom 250 fight same as everyone else|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Danny Segura|date=2026-03-11|access-date=2026-03-15}}</ref> *A featherweight bout between former featherweight title challenger [[Diego Lopes (fighter)|Diego Lopes]] and [[Steve Garcia]], who has won his past seven UFC fights.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/ufc/2026/03/11/ufc-freedom-250-steve-garcia-found-out-announcement/89083974007/|title=Steve Garcia found out about UFC Freedom 250 fight same as everyone else|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Danny Segura|date=2026-03-11|access-date=2026-03-15}}</ref> *A heavyweight bout between former heavyweight title challenger [[Derrick Lewis]] and [[Josh Hokit]], who is currently undefeated with a 9–0 record. The pairing was the latest addition to the card, which was added right after Hokit's win at [[UFC 327]] on April 11 on a direct request by Trump to see Lewis at the event.<ref name="hokitlewis">{{Cite web|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2026/04/11/derrick-lewis-vs-josh-hokit-added-to-freedom-250-card/|title=Derrick Lewis vs Josh Hokit added to Freedom 250 card|publisher=cagesidepress.com|author=Eddie Law|date=2026-04-11|access-date=2026-04-12}}</ref> *A heavyweight bout between former heavyweight title challenger [[Derrick Lewis]] and [[Josh Hokit]], who is currently undefeated with a 9–0 record. The pairing was the latest addition to the card, which was added right after Hokit's win at [[UFC 327]] on April 11 on a direct request by Trump to see Lewis at the event.<ref name="hokitlewis">{{Cite web|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2026/04/11/derrick-lewis-vs-josh-hokit-added-to-freedom-250-card/|title=Derrick Lewis vs Josh Hokit added to Freedom 250 card|publisher=cagesidepress.com|author=Eddie Law|date=2026-04-11|access-date=2026-04-12}}</ref> ⚫ [[File:Alex Pereira UFC 300.png|150px|thumb|right|If victorious, [[Alex Pereira]] will be the first fighter to win a UFC title in three different divisions.]] ====Contract discussions and fighter availability==== ====Contract discussions and fighter availability==== Dana White stated during the post-fight press conference for [[UFC 326]] in March 2026 that, although there had been discussions between the promotion and [[Jon Jones]], a former two-time [[UFC Light Heavyweight Championship|UFC Light Heavyweight]] and one-time [[UFC Heavyweight Championship|Heavyweight Champion]], he was never considered as a potential headliner for the event.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/ufc/news/jon-jones-ufc-release-dana-white-health-white-house/|title=Jon Jones requests UFC release, disputing Dana White's stance on health, White House negotiations|publisher=cbssports.com|author=Brent Brookhouse|date=2026-03-09|access-date=2026-03-11}}</ref> Days later, Jones disputed White's comments, stating that he had been in negotiations with the UFC in the days leading up to the announcement.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/ufc/475703/dana-white-jon-jones-was-never-ever-ever-going-to-headline-ufc-white-house-card-very-fair-to-consider-him-retired|title=Dana White: Jon Jones was 'never, ever, ever' going to headline UFC White House card, 'very fair' to consider him retired|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Damon Martin|date=2026-03-08|access-date=2026-03-11}}</ref> He also publicly requested his release from the promotion.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://frontofficesports.com/jon-jones-ufc-lowballed-him-on-white-house-card-seeks-release/|title=Jon Jones: UFC 'Lowballed' Him on White House Card, Seeks Release|publisher=frontofficesports.com|author=Griffin Senyek|date=2026-03-10|access-date=2026-03-11}}</ref> Dana White stated during the post-fight press conference for [[UFC 326]] in March 2026 that, although there had been discussions between the promotion and [[Jon Jones]], a former two-time [[UFC Light Heavyweight Championship|UFC Light Heavyweight]] and one-time [[UFC Heavyweight Championship|Heavyweight Champion]], he was never considered as a potential headliner for the event.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/ufc/news/jon-jones-ufc-release-dana-white-health-white-house/|title=Jon Jones requests UFC release, disputing Dana White's stance on health, White House negotiations|publisher=cbssports.com|author=Brent Brookhouse|date=2026-03-09|access-date=2026-03-11}}</ref> Days later, Jones disputed White's comments, stating that he had been in negotiations with the UFC in the days leading up to the announcement.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/ufc/475703/dana-white-jon-jones-was-never-ever-ever-going-to-headline-ufc-white-house-card-very-fair-to-consider-him-retired|title=Dana White: Jon Jones was 'never, ever, ever' going to headline UFC White House card, 'very fair' to consider him retired|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Damon Martin|date=2026-03-08|access-date=2026-03-11}}</ref> He also publicly requested his release from the promotion.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://frontofficesports.com/jon-jones-ufc-lowballed-him-on-white-house-card-seeks-release/|title=Jon Jones: UFC 'Lowballed' Him on White House Card, Seeks Release|publisher=frontofficesports.com|author=Griffin Senyek|date=2026-03-10|access-date=2026-03-11}}</ref> ⚫ [[File:P20260506MR-1514 President Donald J. Trump speaks with members of the media alongside UFC fighters in the Oval Office.jpg|300px|thumb|right|President [[Donald Trump]] (center) with the four fighters involved in the headliners; from left to right: [[Alex Pereira]], [[Ilia Topuria]], [[Justin Gaethje]] and [[Ciryl Gane]].]] Helwani also reported that Jones was in negotiations to compete on the card, contradicting White's claim that Jones had not been considered, but that the sides did not agree on compensation. He further stated that [[Conor McGregor]] was not in serious talks to appear at the event and was instead expected to return during International Fight Week in July.<ref name="helwani-plans"/> Helwani also reported that Jones was in negotiations to compete on the card, contradicting White's claim that Jones had not been considered, but that the sides did not agree on compensation. He further stated that [[Conor McGregor]] was not in serious talks to appear at the event and was instead expected to return during International Fight Week in July.<ref name="helwani-plans"/> Line 92: Line 92: Unlike typical UFC cards that feature promos, sizzle reels and hype videos for future fights or events, the promotion is changing its routine entirely for this event. Much like the [[UFC 306]] event that took place inside [[Sphere]] in [[Las Vegas]], the UFC plans to show different vignettes during the event that celebrate the United States’ 250th anniversary rather than the typical promos that would usually play between fights.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/ufc/492247/ufc-plans-to-tell-the-story-of-america-in-between-fights-at-the-white-house|title=UFC plans to ‘tell the story of America’ in between fights at the White House|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Damon Martin|date=2026-06-04|access-date=2026-06-05}}</ref> Unlike typical UFC cards that feature promos, sizzle reels and hype videos for future fights or events, the promotion is changing its routine entirely for this event. Much like the [[UFC 306]] event that took place inside [[Sphere]] in [[Las Vegas]], the UFC plans to show different vignettes during the event that celebrate the United States’ 250th anniversary rather than the typical promos that would usually play between fights.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/ufc/492247/ufc-plans-to-tell-the-story-of-america-in-between-fights-at-the-white-house|title=UFC plans to ‘tell the story of America’ in between fights at the White House|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Damon Martin|date=2026-06-04|access-date=2026-06-05}}</ref> === Possible Cancellation from Lawsuit === A lawsuit has been filed to block UFC White House Event from proceeding to preserve historical purpose.<ref>https://www.mmafighting.com/ufc/492987/last-minute-lawsuit-seeks-to-put-kibosh-on-corrupt-scheme-ufc-white-house-event#comments</ref> ==Fight card== ==Fight card==